Republicans in Congress "aren’t failing” on the budget issue, he told radio talk show host Hugh Hewitt. “But I think they need to recognize that the country wants them to be more willing to take risks, and more willing to push change."

Gingrich, who as speaker helped spark a government shutdown in 1995 that helped the GOP lose its House majority in the 1996 elections, can’t comprehend why House Republican leaders are wary of a government shutdown now. "I don’t understand the fear that’s involved," Gingrich said.

As for the 1995 shutdown, "I wonder, when people say to me, 'Boy, that was really politically expensive,' my question is to who?” Gingrich said. “Our base wanted somebody who was serious, and this is part of what’s going on in the country right now."

Former House Speaker and likely 2012 Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich says GOP House leaders should press for bigger spending cuts, The Hill reports.Republicans in Congress aren t failing on the budget issue, he told radio talk show host Hugh Hewitt. But I...